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Effective Ways To Change Your Thinking

All of us have certain thought patterns, and they often show up in the lifestyles we live, the decisions we make, and the things we say, whether good or bad.   We also have dreams of what we'd like to see come to pass, or we may be living with the feeling of a life of defeat.


If you have a positive pattern of thoughts, and look forward to goals and dreams for the future, then great!  The world needs people like you!

If you have a negative pattern of thoughts, and feel like you will always struggle thru life, then you may be one of the voices we hear saying, "It's just the way I am."

I don't believe that we'll have success in changing everything we think, but I do believe we absolutely can change some of our thought patterns for the better.  Even if you've had disadvantages in life that have led you to a negative way of thinking, you can change for the better in some areas.  

Whether you believe me or not, changing your surroundings can change your thinking.  Ask yourself these questions:

  • What kind of books do you read?
  • What kind of music do you listen to?
  • What websites do you visit?
  • What kind of friends do you have?
  • What kind of programs do you watch on TV, or listen to on the radio?
  • What places do you visit in your city?
  • What are your role models?
  • What foods and drinks do you keep in the house?

  • If you are a fearful person, make sure you aren't reading horror stories.  Read something funny, uplifting, positive, or inspirational.
  • Do you listen to depressing music?  Find something light and refreshing to listen to.
  • Do you visit websites that tell of all the doom and gloom in the world?  Find something positive to pump into your brain instead.  
  • Are your friends negative, always talking about how wrong everything is, how no one will ever get ahead, how we're all falling apart, etc.?  I don't really believe in just dumping people I care about, but I can control how much time I spend with them.  Find someone who is a go-getter to give you a different perspective on things.  In fact, find several!
  • Do you watch and listen to gloomy programs?  Turn them off!
  • Do you hang out in depressing areas of your town?  Find some new places to visit, and take a different route to avoid being tempted to visit the old places if you have to drive by them.  
  • Are your role models good influences, or a bad ones?  Pick someone that you know sets a good example and has positive things to offer, and turn your eyes toward them.  Look at people who have overcome great obstacles, or who have survived illnesses, or who genuinely give to their communities, or something else positive.
  • Are you trying to lose 10 pounds?  Then get the sweets out of the house.
  • Trying to stop smoking?  Then don't keep a cigarette in hiding "in case of emergency".
Change may not happen overnight, but I know from personal experience that it will come.  I have done several of the things above in my own life, and I can look back and see that I am not the same person I was years ago.  And I'm glad!  I could have stayed where I was, but I like to aim to do better, and in order to do so, I had to change my surroundings.   It isn't just about getting rid of the negative influences, but it is also about replacing them with positive influences.  Sometimes the changes take getting use to, but they're worth it, and you'll soon start to enjoy them!  Why don't you give it a try for yourself?